REC 2D: FINLAND v BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA

25.04.2015

Venue: Stadion: Kamberović polje, Zenica

Referee: Serban Cristian (Romania)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
BOSNIA H.	2	2	0	0	93	37	56	1	9
FINLAND	1	1	0	0	32	10	22	1	5
BULGARIA	2	1	0	1	38	78	-40	1	5
TURKEY	2	0	0	2	44	60	-16	2	2
NORWAY	1	0	0	1	10	32	-22	0	0

Preview
These two teams are both undefeated with Finland having a game in hand.

Bosnia Herzegovina lost their promotion playoff against Austria last June and will spend another two seasons in Division 2D. They dominated this division last year except losing to Finland away. They have the home advantage and are always a tough opposition when they play at home.

Finland’s form is very much up and down. They struggle when playing away. I feel B&H will be too strong in that second half.

Previous Encounters
31.05.2014 Finland 29-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)
20.04.2013 Bosnia Herzegovina 19-15 in Sarajevo (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
17.05.2008 Drawn 3-3 in Helsinki (ENC 3C)
07.10.2006 Finland 14-7 in Zenica (ENC 3C)

Bosnia Herzegovina Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
25.10.2014 v Turkey W 34-25 in Edrine (REC 2D)
04.10.2014 v Bulgaria W 59-12 in Zenica (REC 2D)
07.06.2014 v Austria L 12-26 in Tesanj (ENC 2C-2D Playoff)
31.05.2014 v Finland L 24-29 in Turku (ENC 2D)
19.04.2014 v Norway W 43-0 in Zenica (ENC 2D)

Finland Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
18.10.2014 v Norway L 12-20 in Oslo (REC 2D, 2nd leg)
04.10.2014 v Norway W 32-10 in Helsinki (REC 2D, 1st leg)
31.05.2014 v Bosnia Herzegovina W 29-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)
10.05.2014 v Luxembourg L 7-27 in Luxembourg (ENC 2D)
12.10.2013 v Norway L 12-24 in Turku (ENC 2D)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Bosnia Herzegovina 34th, Finland 37th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Bosnia Herzegovina 34.54, Finland 30.29

Prediction: Bosnia Herzegovina by 18 points. Score 31-13

TEAMS

Finland Squad

Forwards
Mikael Ahola UK
Kosti Eskola WRC
Karl Fitness JRC
Fred Harrison Tampere
Janne Heinanen JRC
Aro Katainen JRC
Matti Keranen Kuopo
Mauno Konttila JRC
Aleksi Laitinen Vaasa
Kevin McCarthy HRC
Marko Sallert HRC
Sauli Tyvi Vaasa
Kalle Valimaki Linna

Backs
Avea Avea Linna
Paul Davies Kuopio
Teemu Elomaa JRC
Thomas Finell WRC
Kalle Helin Vaasa
Antti Lammi WRC
Crispin Maenpaa Belgium
Henri Repo Joensuu
Danny Taylor UK
Valtteri Valtia WRC

Head Coach: Bob Hussey
Assistant Coach: Isaac Visser
Manager: Stephen Whittaker
https://www.facebook.com/suomenrugby

Bosnia Herzegovina

1.Ajanovic Semir
2.Fetic Mirsad
3.Nermin Selimbegovic
4.Pojskic Edin
5.Dario Petrusic
6.Sedad Tufekcic
7.Haris Oruc
8.Senad Turcinovic
9.Armin Zadic
10.Sabahudin Subasic
11.Ajkunic Zijad
12.Selmir Glavas
13.Adnan Hamzic
14.Fadil Spahic
15.Samed Smajlovic

Replacements
16.Danijel Keserovic
17.Sandro Mrgic
18.Elvis Tuka
19.Nejro Ahmic
20.Semir Topcic
21.Armin Kavazovic
22.Alem Haracic
23.Dario Gojkovic

https://www.facebook.com/ragbih